starting uni next month and was thinking about joining the military after i graduate. im not sure if this is a good idea

Hi Justin,

Congratulations on getting a place at university, that is great news, and thank you for your question.

If you’re at the beginning of the process of considering a military career I would really advocate taking a look at the Army Recruitment website and go through the job opportunities; you’ll be amazed by how diverse the roles offered are. We don’t have Forensic Scientists in the Army, but there is a forensics department within the Special Investigations Branch (SIB) of the Royal Military Police (RMP). You cannot join the SIB directly, however as a soldier in the RMP you may be able to specialise in this during your career. Take a look at all the roles available in the Army here - https://jobs.army.mod.uk/?gclid=CjwKCAjwivemBhBhEiwAJxNWN8KAWgBHvw2aQjW1MHB0tzgZ_oZNgc5S8bn5Eo2xtk8yhbeBrEdS2RoCnzEQAvD_BwE&;cid=semp2860465748&dtid=semp_google_18631584719_148121712208&ps_kw=army%20role%20finder&gclsrc=aw.ds&s_kwcid=AL!8141!3!628915024937!e!!g!!army%20role%20finder&ef_id=ZN6KQQAABDZBbBCJ:20230817205945:s

Work out what interests you, what you would be good at, and what you are eligible (or could become eligible) to join, and if you want to be an officer or a soldier. You’ll also find loads of useful information on there about basic training and how to prepare.

If you’re interested in becoming an officer, and trying to secure a scholarship or bursary, the Army does offer a range of financial support packages to selected officer candidates during further and higher education. All applicants for bursaries or scholarships must meet the officer eligibility standards and pass the Army Officer Selection Board. You can find out more about that here: https://jobs.army.mod.uk/regular-army/what-you-get/bursaries-scholarships/?cid=mail0459794164&;gator_td=bIzQUG%2FVfM%2B2hxdSBDPv8IVev1bqsG6Y%2FsMTE5VdxrLx3zajt1KJGaZ4o333IAObdSKSCi1V7KujgaPe9cTwF5bbuPpO1aCVSgiErgk0W0RjpRvs53dR9Km2yeyrgR%2FcDLW5bJm4hdl0IpTILZ76B%2B

It would also be worth looking into the University Officer Training Corps (UOTC) when you get to uni, they normally have a desk as the Freshers Fair. The UOTC is a unique place where students from all walks of life thrive, have exciting and rewarding experiences and make friends for life. As a member of the UOTC you will have amazing adventures, develop transferable skills, sporting opportunties and a great social life. You do all of this alongside your studies, with the added bonus of being paid.

I hope this has provided you with some information so you can start thinking things through, but if you have any follow-on questions please don’t hesitate to reply.

Katie